NRT? Comments please!

Ok as some of you know I've been using the NRT gum. I have about 20 peices left (if that) im debating on whether or not I should buy more and finish the program or go smart turkey? I feel like praying, self talk, and EX is the ultimate reason I'm successful now. I use the gum because its something to do (Maybe I could replace it with chewing gum and won't notice the difference) I still experience slight withdrawal so I'm thinking the gum is only prolonging it. I've read that it takes 3 days for nicotine to leave our system joined by the amount of water I drink I think I should be ok! What do you guys think? Smart turkey get over those few days with chewing gum, cough drops, and water (all of which I have on hand already) or buy more gum when I run out and finish the program?

I use about 5 or 6 a day the recommended for the first few weeks I think it's the first 4 weeks is 9 peices but I can't use that much that's too strong for me so I don't do anymore than 6. I have 6 DOF today is day 7 whoo hoo and I've been using the gum everyday I do believe I could substitute it with regular gum.

I used Gum, Twizzlers, pretzel rods and hard candy. In the last week or two have been pushing myself to cut back on the gum, which is the only one remaining. I think it all helped me quit, but I still feel little urges without the gum. And none of it had nicotine. While I can't see what is best for you, I believe you should make the move when you feel you are the strongest. You will have urges, but you have shown you are great at handling those!

In between gum I smell vapor rub and sometimes rub a little on my nose lol I'd blow bubbles when I'm sitting outside I haven't used the cough drops yet but I found them helpful in previous quits I also drink alot of water through a straw and sometimes I use flavor packets in my water depending on. I think I have alot in my tool kit and really don't think I should buy more. I also have lozenges for those really tough times I hardly ever use them I just have em just in case.

This is my opinion only - I know that you have restarted several times so I would finish the program and not take shortcuts. The important thing is to have a plan to gradually decrease the gum use and eventually get off of it. I used the patches and it was easy to step down with those. You will need to be a little more disciplined to get off the gum. But at your stage, I would not rush things.

Six months after people have been quit, people using NRT's go back to smoking at the same rate as those who didn't. My opinion is the "programs don't work except to line the pockets of the manufacturers.

My opinion only. When I used the patches to quit, I thought about quitting the patches early but in the end I decided to finish the program that I created during my preparation time. Dale is right about the same rate of relapse regardless of method. In fact, the first serious quit I ever had years before this last quit, I restarted smoking six months after finishing the patches. And on top of that, I was addicted to the patch for the first six months on that quit.

But on this last quit when I followed the steps exactly as recommended, I reached my milestone of six years so far. As far as I'm concerned, I think attitude is key to a quit and no NRT is going to make us have the right attitude to quit. If it were me, and I was thinking of changing course during the first days of the quit, I would try a day without the gum while I still had some on hand because the bottom line is you really don't want to relapse.

What's most important is that you stay quit no matter what it takes! Every person is different and as such, so is every quit. If you think you're ready to go without the NRT's, then by all means try it but just be sure that it doesn't cause a relapse!

I like the idea of trying it while I still have some. I think I'm going to wean with delay. My last quit my body got off the gum on it's on I just didn't think about it anymore I also didn't think about smoking I was really free. I also didn't have to pay for it either I went through 1800 quitnow now I have to buy the gum.

Hi Kim, I have to agree with Jennifer on this one. Don't rush yourself. Go the distance and use your medication as directed. I would have a lot more days than you have to be secure in your quit before giving up on your NRT.

If I remember correctly we have been here before, wanting to end an NRT or not. I think everyone is in agreement that you need to stay with your plan. Do not allow you addictive brain to set you up to fail. However, you have to do what works for you. We can only advise you and give you support. You have to make the choices. The main thing is NOPE whether NRT/no NRT, gum/no gum? lozenges /no lozenges. Know that you can do this no matter what route you chose just stick with it so you do not have an EXcuse for failing. I still read between the lines. Breathe you can do this.

I have no idea what so ever about the NRT'S Kimberly so I can't say anything about it but I can say that you're doing great with this quit so just keep moving forward and stacking up your days, one precious smoke free day at a time! MePlus3

Aaah thanks, the sun is shining here Kimberly which is awesome, even with the bit of snowbanks my husband and I set up the patio area because we're going to get some nice weather this week yay! I think Spring is finally arriving here in the Maritime Provinces. MePlus3

Yay! I'm glad you're finally getting some spring weather! We're up for a cold front here and it's been raining all weekend the weather is so crazy here in Mississippi one day it's cold and raining the next day it's 80 degrees and sunny as if nothing ever happened!

I used the patch but also would use a lozenge or gum too if I felt really uncomfortable. I also read on this site you can combine different NRTs. I also used the patch longer than the recommended time but my doctor said it was OK. There is no right or wrong answer. The point is to wean yourself off of nicotine and not smoke. Only you can answer the question of how you feel.If you run out of gum and still feel uncomfortable use gum before smoking. NRT is cheaper than smoking anyway.

I can only speak for myself - I'm using the NRT lozenges, but I also chew regular gum at times and some throat lozenges as well. I am not using the recommended number of lozenges but feel that until I have enough time under my belt, I need to worry about the psychological addiction first. Only you can answer where you think you are at. I can say, as you well know, this is a roller coaster ride. One day I'm great, the next day I'm having thoughts I shouldn't be having. I tend to agree with Chuck, though. If you try without it, make sure you still have some on hand, just in case.

Ahhh Dale that make perfect sense! I originally smoked about 10 a day my recent relapses went up to a pack a day (yikes) I use the 2mg gum at about 6 to the most a day which in fact IS more than I used to smoke. I'm also guilty of substituting my smoke times with gum i.e when I wake up, on the phone, under stress, driving etc you know the cycle. I never thought about the fact that I am doing that. I never put much thought into the patch I always thought I could use a bandaid and fool myself into believing I'm getting the same results. I really want to get off NRT but not at the risk of me losing my quit. I also believe that the gum is playing no role in my quit besides substituting the smokes which in fact IS the wrong way to be using it. I think being here, praying, journaling, self talking and natural coping methods is the driving force in this quit. I'm almost certain I can use cough drops or chewing gum and yield the same results but for some reason I have a fear of letting the NRT go. I REALLY don't want to lose my quit again. You've seen how long I've been in this up and down in and out. This time I'm being careful. I like the idea of weaning while I have some left I have about 10 peices left maybe more but I'm going to put them up and see how I go without it.